Gasolene-heater



W. A. LA BELLE.

-GASOLENE HEATER.

APPLICATION F|LEDSEPT.25, 1919.

'Patentd Feb. 1,1921. 1

PATENT OFFICE.-

WILLIAM A LA. BELLE, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI.

GASOLENE-HEATER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, WILLIAM ALFRED LA BELLE,-a citizen of the United States, residing in the city of StJLouis and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gasolene-Heaters, of which the following is a specification. v

This invention relates to gasolene motors, and, has for its object to provide a novel means for heating the gasolene prior to its entrance into the carbureter.

With the above general object in view, the invention consists essentially in installing a small gasolene container in the fuel line to the carbureter and in hermetically inclosing a small electric light bulb within said container, whereby, when the current is turned on to said bulb, the heat radiating therefrom will sufiiciently raise the temperature of the gasolene in the container to cause it to readily vaporize in the carbureter.

The accompanying drawing shows one' embodiment of my -invention, but the same may be varied as to location, construction and arrangement, according to the type of motor to which my improvement is to be applied without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the drawing,

Figure 1 is a view in elevation showing my improved gasolene heater connected to a carbureter; and

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the Y heater proper.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral 1 indicates a carbureter provided with the usual float-valve chamber 2. The numeral 3 indicates a hollow container which is of a size to hold about an ounce and ahalf of gasolene. A pipe 4 secured to the upper end of the container 3 is connected by means of a sleeve nut 5 to the bottom of the floatvalve chamber 2 of the carbureter. The numeral 6 indicates the pipe leading from the gasolene tank, andthis pipe is connected through the medium of a sleeve nut 7 with the bottom of the container 3.

One side of the chamber of the container 3 is provided with an aperture through which projects a cup-shaped member 8 which is provided at its outer end with a collar 9 which is soldered or otherwise secured to the wall of the container 3 around the aperture therein. The collar 9 is provided with interior screw threads receiving a screw-threaded plug 10 having an electric Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Feb. 1, 1921.

Application fi1ed September 25, 1919. Serial No. 326,227.

. light bulb 11 removably mounted therein, in

the usual way. The collar 9 is further proylded with apertures 12 connecting with the mterior of the cup 8 to permit the entrance of air to said cup, and thus prevent overheating. The entrance of air to the cup 8 is essential, as otherwise the heat will increase to such an extent as to melt the solder employed and destroy the glass bulb.

When the plu 10 is in position in the collar 9, the bulb 11 will be located relatively close to the bottom of the cup 8, and the bottom of the cup 8 will lie in proximity to the wall of the container 3, opposite that having the. aperture through whlch the cup is inserted. The numeral 13 indicates an insulated cord carrying the electrical conductors for the electric light 11, said cord being electrically connected at one end to the plug 10, and at its other end being provided with a plug 14 for insertion in a suitable socket, (not shown), on the dashboard or other part of the car. The container 3 will, of course, be filled with gasolene at all times, which gasolene surrounds the cup 8 on allsides, When current is turned on to the electric light bulb 11, the heat generated will be imparted to the gasolene in'the container 3 and raise the temperature of such gasolene sufliciently to cause it to vaporize readily in the carbureter.

Such heating of the gasolene may occur prior to starting the car, and may continue during the running of the car if desired. Thus, in cold weather, prior to attempting to start the motor, the current will be turned on to the bulb 11 and a period of several minutes allowed to elapse, during which timethegasolene in the container 3 will be heated sufficiently to readily vaporize. When the motor is placed in operation, it will be found that ignition of the gasolene will readily occur so that prompt starting of the car is insured. If the car after being in operation is allowed to stop for any considerable length of time, the light 11 may be left in operation, so that the motor can be readily started at any time.

I am aware of the fact that various electrical heating devices have been devised for heating the gasolene in the carbureter, but so far as I am aware, it is not practicable to leave these heating devices in operation for any extended length of time, as the heat generated is so intense that in time it will cause the gasolene to boil, and such high degree of heat, moreover, .is extremely dangerousowin to the likelihood of fire or explosion. 0 overcome the danger ofthe use of these heaters, it is customary to employ a spring-pressed button which must be pushed in by the operator to close the circuit 'to the heater, and which will break the circuit as soon as pressure thereon is removed. It is a salient feature of thls lnventlon,

however, that my heater may remain inop eration for an'indefinite length of time Withe out presenting an element ofidanger what-1 soever from over eating, as, owing to the provision of the air vents 12, the temperaturewithin the container 3 can neverreach the boiling point and, in fact, the use of this device, maintained for hours in succession, has demonstrated that the container 3 never becomes so hot but that the hand can be placed on it without discomfort. However, the heat generated and imparted to the gasolene is sufficient to cause the latter to readily vaporize in the carbureter. As stated above, mdy improved heating device can be used to a vantage. in very cold weather during the operation of the car, but its use at all times \prior to starting the car, is optional with the operator. In warm weather, the use of the heater will usually be unnecessary, although consumed by it is be left in operation almost indefinitely withtainer for gasolene interposed in the fuel line to the carbureter, and an electric light bulb, electrically connected with a source of current, located within said container.

. 2. A gasolene heater comprising a container for gasolene interposed in the fuel line to the carbureter, bulb, electricall connected with a source of current, located within said container and hermetically inclosed against access of gasolene.

3 A gasolene heater comprising a container interposed in the fuel line to the carbureter, a hollow member-projecting into said container, and an electric light bulb located in said hollow member and electrically connected-with a'source of current.

4. A gasolene heater comprising a container inter osed in the fuel line to the carbureter, a' ollow member projecting into said container and hermetically sealed thereto, and an electric light' bulb secured in said member and electrically connected with a source of current, said member being provided with air vents. v

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM A. LA BELLE.

and an electric light 

